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Perth Now
02-08-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
Green hydrogen hype fades but future hopes are bright
Investors call it "the valley of death": the decade-long stretch in which a budding technology struggles to become profitable. For green hydrogen, the valley is looming large after two energy giants withdrew support for multibillion-dollar Australian projects within one month. Following the announcements, a $14 billion plant will no longer be built in Gladstone, Queensland and a $55 billion proposal for Western Australia's Pilbara region is in doubt. But while the global green hydrogen hype is starting to deflate, climate, energy and finance experts say there are still plenty of reasons to pursue production of the zero-emission fuel in Australia. The investment pause may also give the industry time to reconsider uses for carbon-free hydrogen, they say, letting firms ditch the dream of a hydrogen car market and energy exports in favour of more promising pursuits such as green iron. Green hydrogen, named for its zero-emission properties, has been pursued strongly in Australia since the release of the National Hydrogen Strategy in 2019. The fuel is created using an electrolyser, powered by renewable energy, that splits water into hydrogen and oxygen. It has been called the "Swiss Army knife of decarbonisation" due to its potential to cut emissions in fields such as transport, metal production, fertilisers and electricity. But producing, transporting and selling green hydrogen is not proving as quick or as profitable as some pundits anticipated. In addition to the two recent green hydrogen project withdrawals, Climate Energy Finance director Tim Buckley says many plans have been redrawn and erased around the world. "Australia is not alone - this is a global trend and we have seen the global hydrogen hype dissipate dramatically," he says. "We've had a series of hydrogen proposals shut down, cancelled or withdrawn over the last six to 12 months." Even strong proponents of green hydrogen, such as Germany, have reduced support for the zero-emission fuel, he says, as it has proven expensive to produce without access to large-scale, cheap, renewable energy and an international carbon price. Green hydrogen is also proving challenging to transport, defying predictions it could be shipped internationally to decarbonise energy production in neighbouring countries. Investing in green hydrogen is like investing in internet companies during the 1990s, Mr Buckley says: risky even though it could pay off in 10 years. "We're going now across the valley of death and it's usually a decade-long journey before you come out the other side and realise there was a lot of substance in what was being said. "We were just deluded and over-hyped about how quickly it would happen," he says. Australia has several small green hydrogen plants in operation and the federal government has issued two grants to larger facilities through its Hydrogen Headstart program. The Murchison Green Hydrogen Project in Western Australia received an $814 million grant in March, followed by a $432 million grant for Orica's Hunter Valley Hydrogen Hub this month. Despite withdrawing from its proposed hydrogen plant in Gladstone and another in the US, Fortescue chief executive Dino Otranto says the energy giant remains optimistic about the future of the fuel. Producing large amounts of green hydrogen for export "presents real challenges," he says, but Fortescue will use the fuel to produce green metals at its Pilbara plant. "Our belief in the long-term role of green hydrogen hasn't changed but we acknowledge the market for green hydrogen as an export energy has shifted," he tells AAP. "In the near term, our focus is on where hydrogen has a clear and immediate role - producing green iron." Green iron has the potential to cut 90 per cent of emissions produced in the steelmaking process by using hydrogen and energy from renewable sources rather than coal or gas. Australia could become a leading supplier of green iron as the world's biggest iron ore exporter, according to analysis from The Superpower Institute, and could generate as much as $386 billion a year from the metal by 2060. Changing the focus on green hydrogen from an export material to fuel for domestic use is vital, says Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis global steel lead analyst Simon Nicholas, and could secure its future. "The silver lining to a lot of these projects failing, I hope, is that there's going to be a refocusing on what we need to use green hydrogen for and we'll end up needing an awful lot less than we thought we did a few years ago," he says. "It should be used domestically in the place that it's produced and it should be focused on a much narrower range of uses." Hydrogen-powered cars have been outpaced by electric models, he says, and using the fuel to power long-haul trucks or heat homes seems unlikely. Using green hydrogen to produce cleaner iron and steel, ammonia, fertiliser, explosives and other chemicals could give it a greater chance of success, however, and give Australia more export opportunities. "It's going to be very important because competition overseas is there and growing," Mr Nicholas says.
West Australian
26-06-2025
- Business
- West Australian
$15b Murchison Green Hydrogen project to begin construction in early 2027, ammonia production in 2030
A major onshore wind and solar energy project bound for the Mid West town of Kalbarri is set to begin construction in late 2026 or early 2027, after the completion of early engineering, design work and environmental approvals. Backed by global investment powerhouse Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, the $15 billion Murchison Green Hydrogen project is set to become one of Australia's biggest renewable energy developments. Murchison Green Hydrogen CEO Shohan Seneviratne provided an update on the project while in Geraldton this week for the Mid West Economic Forum, promising that the company was listening to and heeding community concerns. Located at Murchison House pastoral station, 13km north-east of Kalbarri, the controversial development will comprise up to 550 wind turbines, 10,000ha of solar panels, a desalination plant and a green hydrogen hub. These will generate and store green ammonia for international export. At full scale, the project will include up to 6GW of renewable energy generation, 3GW of electrolysis, and the production of about 1.9 million tonnes a year of green ammonia. A dedicated marine export terminal — featuring offshore vessel mooring and liquid ammonia transfer infrastructure — will be built about 2.5km off the coast. Development costs were being covered by CIP through its Energy Transition Fund, the world's largest green hydrogen fund. In March, the Federal Government's Australian Renewable Energy Agency also announced $814 million for the project under the Hydrogen Headstart program. The funds will only be paid once production is under way and sales occur. Mr Seneviratne said construction would begin after a final investment decision, expected by the end of 2026 or early 2027. 'Construction for the whole project is approximately five years,' he said. 'Early production will start about the three-year mark, but full production will start at about five years.' The company has promised to inject $3m annually into local training, education and infrastructure under a community benefit sharing program, totalling about $100m over the project's life. At its peak, the project will employ 3600 construction workers, prompting concern from the Shire of Northampton which says the town cannot accommodate a workforce of that size. Mr Seneviratne said a self-contained workers camp would be built onsite. 'Not just accommodation, but dining, medical and recreational facilities — to ensure that we don't impact Kalbarri's services,' he said. For the operational workforce, which could be up to 600 people, Mr Seneviratne said they were doing a comprehensive social impact assessment and planned to work with the shire on its expansion plans for the region. In April, more than 30 protesters gathered outside the Kalbarri Sport and Recreation Centre, holding signs like 'hands off our coast' and 'truck off MGH' amid concerns the development would damage the town's tourism and environment. 'With projects of this scale, you're always going to have differing opinions,' Mr Seneviratne said. 'We've been engaging with the community to understand all those opinions and perspectives and incorporate them into the design.' He said MGH had been conducting environmental studies for more than three years — covering flora, fauna, vegetation and marine habitats — with findings to be publicly released via the WA Environmental Protection Authority later this year With other major green hydrogen projects in Australia scaling back, including billionaire Andrew Forrest's energy company Fortescue, Mr Seneviratne said several factors set the Murchison apart. 'It's not just that it's very windy — it's high-quality wind at night and strong solar during the day, allowing continuous, stable production,' he said. 'Being fully funded to final investment decision also means we can take a long-term view and optimise everything accordingly.'
Bloomberg
20-03-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Australia Awards $500 Million-Plus to Green Hydrogen Project
Australia's government has awarded as much as A$814 million ($516 million) in funding to a green hydrogen project, even as global confidence in the clean-energy technology wavers. The 1.5 gigawatt Murchison Green Hydrogen Project in Western Australia is the first to be granted funds under the Hydrogen Headstart program, the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water said in a statement on Thursday. The development will create about 3,600 construction jobs, plus another 600 other roles, it said. It will produce almost 2 million tons of green ammonia a year, and will cost an estimated A$15 billion.
Yahoo
27-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Australia $5.4 Bn Hydrogen Market Trends, Competition, Forecast & Opportunities, 2019-2023 & 2024-2029
Backed by significant government investment, a strong emphasis on research and development, and a strategic utilization of renewable resources, Australia's hydrogen industry is primed for considerable advancement. As global attention increasingly turns towards sustainable energy alternatives, Australia's burgeoning hydrogen market is poised to wield significant influence on the international stage, contributing to a cleaner and more environmentally sustainable future. Australian Hydrogen Market Dublin, Jan. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Australia Hydrogen Market, By Region, Competition, Forecast & Opportunities, 2019-2029F" report has been added to Australia Hydrogen Market was valued at USD 4.25 Billion in 2023, and is expected to reach USD 5.40 Billion by 2029, rising at a CAGR of 4.26% Australia's hydrogen sector is experiencing notable growth, spurred by a series of strategic initiatives and investments aimed at fostering a robust hydrogen industry. Recognizing hydrogen's potential as a low-emission fuel, the government has prioritized its development, envisioning a thriving hydrogen energy industry. In a significant move, the Australian government allocated USD 2 billion in the 2023-24 Federal Budget to establish the Hydrogen Headstart initiative. This initiative serves as a crucial revenue support program, intended to expedite market expansion by offering financial assistance to emerging hydrogen projects and enterprises, while also promoting innovation and collaboration within the sector. Australia boasts an active hydrogen production capacity of 10.2ktpa, with projections indicating substantial growth in the years ahead. Ongoing research and development endeavors focus on enhancing hydrogen production technologies and optimizing efficiency. The government's steadfast commitment to renewable resources and sustainable energy solutions bolsters Australia's standing in the global hydrogen of Hydrogen InfrastructureAustralia, endowed with vast natural resources and renowned for its prowess in energy exportation, stands poised to cultivate a flourishing hydrogen sector within its borders. Acknowledging this potential, the nation's National Hydrogen Strategy, unveiled in 2019, underscores the importance of erecting a resilient infrastructure to underpin hydrogen developments have seen Australia presenting proposals for a renewable hydrogen facility in Victoria state, a move that fortifies the country's capability for hydrogen generation. Australian hydrogen enterprises are proactively broadening their horizons beyond domestic borders, cementing the international prospects of Australia's hydrogen sector. Such initiatives not only amplify Australia's influence in the global hydrogen arena but also position the nation as a frontrunner in pioneering sustainable energy solutions Insights Technology InsightsBased on the category of technology, the steam methane reforming emerged as the fastest growing segment in the Australian market for hydrogen in 2023. Steam Methane Reforming (SMR) has emerged as an exceptionally efficient technique for generating hydrogen, boasting an impressive efficiency rate of approximately 74%. This renders it highly appealing for addressing the escalating demand for hydrogen. Beyond its efficiency, SMR also offers cost-effectiveness, with the production cost of hydrogen via SMR estimated at around USD2.27 per Australia, the predominant method for hydrogen production is through natural gas steam methane reforming. This preference is primarily attributable to Australia's abundant natural gas reservoirs, rendering SMR a pragmatic and feasible option for hydrogen generation in the nation. By harnessing these resources, Australia is strategically positioned to accelerate its hydrogen industry and play a pivotal role in the global shift towards cleaner energy InsightsAustralia Capital Territory & New South Wales emerged as the dominant player in the Australia Hydrogen Market in 2023, holding the largest market share in terms of value. In New South Wales (NSW), the Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap delineates comprehensive strategies aimed at harnessing opportunities within the hydrogen sector. This encompasses not only hydrogen production but also its seamless integration into existing energy infrastructure. The goal is to optimize hydrogen's potential across various sectors, including transportation, industry, and power expedite progress in hydrogen technologies, both regions have allocated significant resources to research and development. For instance, the University of New South Wales (UNSW) has spearheaded pioneering research in hydrogen production and storage. Their innovative studies contribute crucial insights and technological breakthroughs that will shape the trajectory of the hydrogen concerted efforts and strategic investments, NSW and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) are positioning themselves as frontrunners in the hydrogen revolution. By driving innovation, fostering job creation, and spearheading the transition towards cleaner energy solutions, they are paving the way for a sustainable future. Key Attributes: Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 85 Forecast Period 2023 - 2029 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $4.25 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2029 $5.4 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 4.2% Regions Covered Australia Report Scope: Key Market Players Amtronics (Aust) Pty Ltd Energys Australia Pty Ltd Blue Energy Limited Hydrogen Systems Australia Pty Ltd BOC Limited Air Liquide Australia Limited Chevron Australia Pty Ltd Iwatani Australia Pty Ltd Australia Hydrogen Market, By Technology: Steam Methane Reforming Membrane Cell Technology Australia Hydrogen Market, By Application: Petroleum Refinery Ammonia Cracking Chemical & Petrochemical Others Australia Hydrogen Market, By Region: Victoria & Tasmania Queensland Western Australia Northern Territory & Southern Australia Australia Capital Territory & New South Wales For more information about this report visit About is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Attachment Australian Hydrogen Market CONTACT: CONTACT: Laura Wood,Senior Press Manager press@ For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./ CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900Sign in to access your portfolio
